U.S. Youth Futsal announced the launch of the USYF Futsal Academy Program

The program not only standardizes Futsal curriculum and youth training across the country, but supports local academies in efforts to maximize youth player development through high-level technical and tactical Futsal training sessions, competitive league play, and regional and national tournaments.

"The U.S. Youth Futsal Academy Program is intended to be the equivalent of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy," said Soorena Farboodmanesh, the new USYF program's director. "The objective is to produce players of exceptional ability in Futsal and soccer."

Establishing an academy is in direct response to the growing demand for opportunities to learn, play and showcase Futsal across the country.

"Throughout the United States there are more and more players, coaches and teams embracing the sport of Futsal," said U.S. Youth Futsal Technical Director Keith Tozer, who also serves as a FIFA Futsal Instructor. "Syncing many outstanding local programs into one larger U.S. Youth Futsal Academy will be of enormous benefit to player development."

U.S. Youth Futsal's Academy structure will complement -- not compete with -- a player's regular soccer club training.

"The USYF Academy Program is for the player who is already playing Futsal, but who has the interest and skills to train all year and at the highest level of technical and tactical training," said U.S. Youth Futsal Executive Director Jon Parry.

Although the design of the program calls for year-round training, the entire curriculum is Futsal.

"We have many outstanding coaches throughout the country," said Tozer, who also served as head coach of the U.S. Men's National Futsal Team. "The USYF Academy will help turn Futsal from a largely seasonal sport to a standardized, year-round training component that will create better indoor and outdoor football players."

Local organizations are invited to apply for USYF Academy status via the US Youth Futsal website.

SoorenaFarboodmanesh

About U.S. Youth Futsal

United States Youth Futsal is the largest U.S. Soccer affiliated futsal organization in the country. Launched in 2004, U.S. Youth Futsal oversees more than 90 local leagues across the country, sanctions 10 Regional Championships and a National Championship. USYF is the leader in futsal player development and futsal coaching education and the Futsal I.D. and Youth National Team programs.